Israel’s attack on Qatar 'despicable,' says independent British lawmaker

• 'The president (of Israel, Isaac Herzog) should be arrested the moment he lands in the UK and put before The Hague court,' says Ayoub Khan

LONDON

An independent British lawmaker has condemned Israel’s Tuesday attack on Doha, calling it "despicable" and accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sabotaging peace efforts in the region.

In an interview with Anadolu, Ayoub Khan denounced the Israeli strike on Qatar's capital, Doha, labeling it "despicable" for many reasons.

"It is despicable for many reasons, primarily because we all know that there were peace discussions that were taking place, in all likelihood, a potential peace deal that would have led to a ceasefire, an immediate ceasefire," he said.

However, the lawmaker said the Israeli prime minister 'doesn't want peace.'

He went on to say that instead, Netanyahu wants to take over the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and this is an "ethnic cleansing and genocide combined."

"Everybody realizes that every effort to drive a ceasefire and peace is being abused and dismantled by this Israeli regime," added Khan.

On Tuesday, Israel's military said it conducted a "precise strike targeting the senior leadership" of the Palestinian group.

Qatar condemned the "cowardly" attack, saying the strike targeted residential buildings that housed members of Hamas's political bureau.

The Gulf state, along with the US and Egypt, has been playing a central role in efforts to mediate an end to Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 64,600 Palestinians since October 2023.

'Israeli president should be arrested'

His remarks came during a rally outside the prime minister's office in London, where thousands protested Israel's President Isaac Herzog's visit to London.

Khan stated that many parliamentarians believe Herzog should not be welcomed in this country, as they consider him a "potential war criminal."

Reminding of his previous statements that sought to dehumanize Palestinians and called for their collective punishment, the independent lawmaker said this is a "disingenuous proposition."

"It's almost like saying that if someone shouts, kill that person, use a firearm on that person, that's not murder. That's what this government is having you believe," he added, criticizing the UK government for allowing Herzog to visit Britain.

"The president should be arrested the moment he lands in the UK and put before The Hague (court)," said Khan, who is the independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr.

Herzog will reportedly be hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Downing Street for bilateral talks.

It came after British lawmakers had called on Starmer to avoid meeting with Herzog due to continued Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Israel has killed more than 64,600 Palestinians in a brutal offensive in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and pushed the territory’s population into famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.